Blue Origin plans to replicate SpaceX’s success with a reusable New Glenn rocket that will land vertically. Returning the first stage after orbit entry will allow it to be reused, reducing mission costs.
We recently completed New Glenn’s first stage test of its six landing legs—a key area for reusability, which lowers the cost of access to space. The landing gear stow inside the rocket during flight, deploying as the booster gently touches down on our landing vessel at sea. pic.twitter.com/3xUSUPDQyk
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) July 17, 2024
On the eve of its first test flight, Blue Origin has released a video testing the landing legs that will be attached to the rocket’s first stage. The video shows the legs appearing at the base of the rocket before landing.
“We recently completed New Glenn’s first stage test of its six landing legs—a key area for reusability, which lowers the cost of access to space. The landing gear stow inside the rocket during flight, deploying as the booster gently touches down on our landing vessel at sea,” Jeff Bezos’ company said on social media X.
Blue Origin has already successfully landed a New Shepard rocket after takeoff. But returning New Glenn will be more difficult because it is a two-stage rocket that will fly much higher.
Blue Origin’s new rocket, which rolled up to the Kennedy Space Center launch pad in February, is about 98 meters high. It carries a seven-meter payload fairing that is twice the size of standard commercial launch vehicles and can hold three buses.
In the coming years, the rocket will be used for 27 missions deploying Amazon’s Project Kuiper internet satellites, similar to SpaceX’s Starlink service. The rocket will also deploy satellites for commercial customers and other organizations, and lunar missions are also included in the plan.
After a series of delays, New Glenn is not expected to debut until September 29, 2024, when it will deliver NASA’s EscaPADE spacecraft to Mars.
Previously, we shared ten interesting facts about Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin.
According to techtimes.com
